After a shocking loss to the Patriots in week 1, the Bengals were looking to bounce back against a familiar foe, the Kansas City Chiefs. Cincinnati was shorthand on both sides of the ball, with Tee Higgins missing, as well as rookie DT Kris Jenkins. Making things worse, both starting DT’s, Sheldon Rankins and BJ Hill, left due to injury. Still, it was a hard fought battle that came down to the end, something that has been a common theme in recent matchups between these two teams.
Both sides started with opening drive field goals, with each getting inside the opposing 5 yard line. Early on, things were tied up at 3.
Capitalizing on an interception by Akeem Davis-Gaither, the Bengals were able to find the end zone on their third drive. They only needed to go 31 yards, thanks to the turnover. Burrow found the rookie, Erick All, for 9 yards to start the drive off. A handful of plays later, he found Andrei Iosivas from 4 yards out for the TD. 10-3 Bengals.
Mahomes and the Chiefs answered quickly on their next drive. After a handful of modest gains, Mahomes launched one deep for Rice, who was able to catch it in stride as he was entering the end zone. Cam Taylor-Britt made an attempt at the ball, but his fingertips just missed. For Rice, it was a 44 yard TD reception, and tied the game at 10.
The Bengals would get into Chiefs territory a couple more times, but both drives stalled out and resulted in field goals. Cincy went into the half with a 16-10 lead.
Kansas City got the ball to start the second half, and proceeded to go on a long 13 play drive. The longest play on the drive was 13 yards, with the Chiefs moving very methodically. From the 1 yard line, Mahomes found OT Wanya Morris, who had reported as eligible, for the TD. They now led 17-16.
Cincinnati answered back after the Chiefs TD. Burrow took a deep shot to rookie WR Jermaine Burton, who hauled it in. Burton had a step on his man, and Burrow put it on the money. They eventually had 1st & goal on the 1 yard line, but did not have an easy time. They couldn’t get in on the first three tries, and decided to go for it on 4th & goal from the 3. Burrow, hanging in the pocket, was able to find Iosivas for his 2nd TD of the day. McPherson missed the crucial extra point, which meant that the score was 22-17 for the Bengals, at this point.
The Chiefs later recovered a Burrow fumble for a TD, making the score 24-22, but McPherson restored the lead with a 51 yard field goal, making it 25-23. However, it was Kansas City who would get the last chance on offence.
Mahomes and the Chiefs offence worked their way forward, after starting on their own 25 yard line. Later in the drive, they faced a 4th & 6 situation at their own 45 yard line. A penalty then made it 4th & 16 from their own 35. The Bengals, on 4th down, rushed 3, and Mahomes scrambled out of the pocket as he looked for a target in the sea of defenders in the secondary. He put up a pass for Rice, which fell incomplete. However, Daijahn Anthony was a bit early to make contact with the receiver, and was called with pass interference. With new life, the Chiefs ran a few plays before setting up for a 51 yard field goal attempt. Butker’s 51 yard attempt was good, giving Kansas City the 26-25 victory.
The Bengals fall to 0-2 on the season with this loss. In week 3, they will get a visit from the Washington Commanders on Monday Night Football.
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